Pictures of Oscar Pistorius kissing and flirting with his girlfriend 10 days before he shot her dead were shown in court today as evidence of their “loving relationship”.

The colour CCTV footage from February 4 last year shows the Olympic sprinter and Reeva Steenkamp shopping for food.

It was first broadcast on Sky News, and despite the prosecution objecting, the judge in the athlete’s murder trial today allowed it to be shown.

Intimate mobile phone messages between the couple were also read out in court. Around 1,700 were gathered by police who found only four exchanges that were clear arguments.

The High Court in Pretoria heard that Pistorius, 27, and model Ms Steenkamp called themselves by pet names —“baba”, “boo”, “angel” — and swapped kisses.

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Defence barrister Barry Roux said they showed that any arguments they had were quickly resolved. The court heard that in one exchange, the model wrote to Pistorius: “Baby I love spending time with you and sleeping next to you.”

Pistorius is accused of murdering Ms Steenkamp after an argument by shooting her through a bathroom door on Valentine’s Day.

He denies the charge and claims he fired four shots believing she was an intruder. Prosecutor Gerri Nel later announced the state had rested its case.

The trial was adjourned until Friday when Pistorius is expected to give evidence.